Bib having an improved neck opening

Abstract

The present invention provides a bib having a generally planar neck opening which is longitudinally symmetric and laterally asymmetric. The generally planar neck opening can be teardrop shaped. In one embodiment the neck opening is formed by shoulder extensions extending from a bib body. The shoulder extensions can be overlapped, and a mechanical fastener associated with the distal ends of the shoulder extensions provides releasable fastening of the overlapping shoulder extensions.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A disposable bib comprising: a bib body having a longitudinal length and a lateral width; and   a pair of shoulder extensions extending from the bib body and providing a generally planar neck opening having a longitudinal length with a midpoint therein; wherein the generally planar neck opening has a front neck portion defining a concavity which is oriented toward the midpoint, a rear neck portion defining a concavity which is oriented toward the midpoint, and a maximum width portion having longitudinally parallel side edges disposed intermediate the front neck portion and the rear neck portion, wherein the rear neck portion has a longitudinal length which is at least about 1.5 times the longitudinal length of the front neck portion, and wherein the maximum width portion has a longitudinal length which is less than or equal to the longitudinal length of the front neck portion, the generally planar neck opening is generally symmetric about a longitudinal axis and generally asymmetric about a lateral axis passing through the midpoint of the longitudinal length of the neck opening, wherein the neck opening has a lateral asymmetry ratio of at least about 1.15 within an angular portion of the neck opening defined by an angle B wherein 15 degrees<B<80 degrees.   
     
     
       2. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the generally planar neck opening has a lateral asymmetry ratio of at least about 1.25. 
     
     
       3. The disposable bib of claim 2 wherein the generally planar neck opening has a lateral asymmetry ratio of at least about 1.5. 
     
     
       4. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the generally planar neck opening has a lateral asymmetry ratio of at least about 1.25 within an angular portion of the neck opening defined by: 30 degrees<B<75 degrees. 
     
     
       5. The disposable bib of claim 4 wherein the generally planar neck opening has a lateral asymmetry ratio of at least about 1.5 within an angular portion of the neck opening defined by: 30 degrees<B<75 degrees. 
     
     
       6. The bib of claim 1 comprising a generally teardrop shaped planar neck opening. 
     
     
       7. The bib of claim 1 comprising a plurality of slits extending from the front neck portion of the generally planar neck opening. 
     
     
       8. The bib of claim 1 wherein the distal ends of the shoulder extensions are joined together along a selective line of weakening to form a generally planar neck opening having a closed shape, and wherein the shoulder extensions are separable along the selective line of weakening. 
     
     
       9. The disposable bib of claim 1 wherein the rear neck portion of the generally planar neck opening has a longitudinal length which is at least about 2.0 times the longitudinal length of the front neck portion. 
     
     
       10. A disposable bib comprising: a bib body having a longitudinal length and a lateral width;   a pair of shoulder extensions extending from the bib body and providing a generally planar neck opening having a longitudinal length with a midpoint therein, each shoulder extension having a proximal end and a distal end;   a fastener associated with at least one of the distal ends of the shoulder extensions for releasably joining the shoulder extensions together in overlapping fashion adjacent their distal ends;   the generally planar neck opening has a front neck portion defining a concavity which is oriented toward the midpoint, a rear neck portion defining a concavity which is oriented toward the midpoint, and a maximum width portion having longitudinally parallel side edges disposed intermediate the front neck portion and the rear neck portion, wherein the maximum width portion has a longitudinal length which is less than or equal to the longitudinal length of the front neck portion, the generally planar neck opening is generally symmetric about a longitudinal axis and generally asymmetric about a lateral axis extending through the midpoint of the longitudinal length of the neck opening, wherein the neck opening has a lateral asymmetry ratio of at least about 1.15 within an annular portion of the neck opening defined by an angle B wherein 15 degrees<B<80 degrees.   
     
     
       11. The disposable bib of claim 9 wherein the rear neck portion has a longitudinal length which is at least about 1.5 times the longitudinal length of the front neck portion. 
     
     
       12. The disposable bib of claim 10 wherein the generally planar neck opening has a front neck portion comprising a perimeter having a generally concave shape. 
     
     
       13. The disposable bib of claim 11 comprising a plurality of slits extending from the front neck portion of the generally planar neck opening. 
     
     
       14. The disposable bib of claim 11 wherein the rear neck portion of the generally planar neck opening has a longitudinal length which is at least about 2.0 times the longitudinal length of the front neck portion. 
     
     
       15. A disposable bib comprising: a bib body having a longitudinal length and a lateral width; and   a pair of shoulder extensions extending from the bib body and providing a generally planar neck opening having a longitudinal length with a midpoint therein;   wherein the generally planar neck opening has a front neck portion comprising a perimeter defining a concavity which is oriented toward the midpoint, a rear neck portion comprising a perimeter having converging, generally straight line segments defined by edges of the shoulder extensions such that the rear neck portion defines a concavity which is oriented toward the midpoint, and a maximum width portion having longitudinally parallel side edges disposed intermediate the front neck portion and the rear neck portion, wherein the rear neck portion has a longitudinal length which is at least about 1.5 times the longitudinal length of the front neck portion, and wherein the maximum width portion has a longitudinal length which is less than or equal to the longitudinal length of the front neck portion, the generally planar neck opening is generally symmetric about a longitudinal axis and generally asymmetric about a lateral axis passing through the midpoint of the longitudinal length of the neck opening, wherein the neck opening has a lateral asymmetry ratio of at least about 1.15 within an angular portion of the neck opening defined by an angle B wherein 15 degrees<B<80 degrees.